Contested Local Elections in Raya Alamata Trigger Tensions Between Amhara Boundary Committee and Semeret Party
By Staff Writer
(Nairobi, Kenya) — A dispute has erupted over local administrative elections in the Raya Alamata area. The Wollo Raya Amhara Identity and Boundary Restoration Committee accuses regional political groups of conducting coercive elections, while representatives of the Tigray Democratic Solidarity (Semeret) Party maintain the process establishes neutral local governance.
Speaking on behalf of the Wollo Raya Amhara Identity and Boundary Restoration Committee, Chairman Eyasu Tareke stated that electoral proceedings across the Raya Alamata, Korem, and Wefla areas were conducted under security pressure from armed entities without inclusive public participation. Eyasu asserted that polling halls were restricted using a pre-prepared pass system and policed by local armed units, claiming the process returns the district to the political tensions seen prior to recent administrative transitions. He added that non-Tigrayan residents, particularly Amhara community members, face severe movement constraints within Alamata.
In response, Semeret Party Vice President Haftu Kiros rejected allegations of coercion, stating that the elections are structured around individual candidate competence rather than party affiliation. Haftu emphasized that the framework aims to restore civil administration across 14 woredas in southern Tigray and integrate local governance structures with the federal caretaker administration newly established in Mekelle. He affirmed that native residents are permitted to participate in selecting local leadership and argued that the process empowers communities to manage daily municipal administration under joint security oversight provided by federal defense forces.
While federal election coordinators were present during initial assessments, community representatives from the Restoration Committee have submitted formal petitions to federal authorities opposing the electoral framework and calling for impartial oversight in disputed boundary zones.
__
Join our Telegram Channel : t.me/borkena
Like borkena on Facebook
Join the conversation. Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter) @zborkena to get the latest Ethiopian News updates regularly. Subscribe to YouTube channel To share information or for submission, send e-mail to info@borkena.com
To Support Borkena : https://borkena.com/subscribe-borkena/ – one time support or small monthly options available. Inquire information about it : info@borkena.com